British Prime Minister Gordon Brown staunchly defended his government'sAfghanistan policy and said troops would stay until Afghan forces cango it alone to defend the country. The prime minister's comments come amid rising casualties amongBritish troops in Afghanistan and growing unease at home about theconflict.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Britain's militaryaction in Afghanistan remains crucial in fighting terrorism and keepingBritain and its allies safe from further terrorist attacks.
Speakingat the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, Mr.Brown said Britain cannot walk away. He said British troops would stayon in Afghanistan for the time being, but promised increased emphasison training the Afghan military and police to take over responsibilityfor security.
"We will have succeeded when our troops are cominghome because the Afghans are doing the job themselves," said theBritish prime minister.
Britain has more than 9,000 troops inAfghanistan about one third of them involved in anti-insurgencyoperations in Helmand province. And it's there that an increasingnumber of soldiers are being killed on an almost daily basis, many byroadside bombs.
The rising death toll has caused unease at homein Britain and has sparked growing criticism of the government'shandling of the war.
On Thursday, a close aide to BritishDefense Secretary Bob Ainsworth resigned in protest over the war. Theaide, Eric Joyce, said he did not believe the public would continue toaccept fighting terrorism as justification for British soldiers dyingin Afghanistan.
Prime Minister Brown acknowledged the price hasbeen high. He said that when he meets the families of those killed inaction, or soldiers who've been injured he does ask himself if thegovernment is doing the right thing.
"And every time I askmyself, as I do, these questions my answer is yes, we are taking theright action, the action that is necessary to safeguard both ourcountry and promote security in the world," said the prime minister.
Mr. Brownsaid Britain was right to go to war to topple the Taliban and their alQaida allies in 2001. He acknowledged that the situation today isserious with threats emanating from insurgents inside Afghanistan aswell as from across the border in the mountains of Pakistan. But, heinsisted that a secure Afghanistan is crucial for the safety of Britain.
Despite such arguments, opinion polls show waning public support for the war in both Britain and the United States.